"Two composers thriving to create musical aesthetics out of cold, clinical electronic sound. Although Kaffe Matthews' recorded works are mostly based upon improvisational sessions and Martux' is purely composed, both clearly show that it's ideas that weigh, more so than the use of affective or anecdotal material. Martux_M, aka Maurizio Martusciello, created a strong and demanding new work out of 'Natures Vives II', one that is all now. The 3 pieces bounce between high and low -- big and small, in a most radical way. At first it leaves the impression that these loose parts show no coherency at all, but as the piece develops over time and unravels it's bigger compositional structure, the puzzle is made to fit. This is not a source for instant satisfaction, but one that asks for repeated listening, growing in its powerful dynamics and very well balanced emplacements in a generous fundament of silence. In all its minimalism, there's so much to hear, not a tick too much or a tone too little. Kaffe Matthews continues where 'Dissectio' had evolved into; a gently deve-loping and wringing body of tones, showing an almost opposite way of how to deal with more or less similar sound-components. Matthews has developed a unique sound over the years, one of great subtlety and high intensity at the same time. 'Environmental cleaning moments' might be one of her more quiet works, with great transparency too. These tracks often do not consist of more than slowly modulating tones with different timbres, fine-tuned to get the typical rough-cut sound Matthews gives along to all her work. A certain sweetness is hidden in there, but always with a sharp edge..."

"Over the past few years AGF has been critically well acclaimed for her poetry-based music and soundworks. Sound and speech have melted into one unique entity. The delicacy and intimacy AGF displays in her work knows very little equals in todays electronic and digital musics. delayOnmyPillow is no exception and simply is a great piece. Stichting Mixer is very proud to release this excellent work of integration of the human touch in the clinical digital domain of sound."

"Elfde Mixer is compiled of material taken from the Kapotte Muziek USA tour back in 1993. Both musicians have a lot of experience in several musical projects and therefore with different ways of working. Their versatility is clearly to be recognised in their work. The use of sounds, compositional choices and aesthetic display is one of clear decisions and conviction. Both pieces are minimal in the sense that there are no decorating elements. On the other hand both composers don't scare back of completely opposite choices in process and sound-use and take their 'concept' as binding as they prefer to. Hardly to be called minimal, more the opposite... Scanning through all surrounding possibilities they create their own, unique (and minimal!) universe. This universe is mostly dark, relatively empty and rather strange...It shares characteristics of soundscapish-music, but what is it we hear? Is it concrete music, synthesized sound, or...? Exactly, it has a puzzling alienated form of it's own. The focus lays very much with the raw appearance of sound and interaction between elements. It shows clear composition; the patience in build-ups, the abruptness of cuttings and the interaction between layers and parts is delicate but strong. In this case, less is definitely more."

"Dutch electro-acoustic ensemble Thu20 is the co-operation between Roel Meelkop, Peter Duimelinks, Sjac van Bussel and Ios Smolders. Live in Groningen is an edited version of a performance they did during the Casa Electronica festival high up north in the Netherlands. The hearplay-like character of their set/ music is very much imaginative and holds a lot of reminding -- but not recognisable -- elements. It's almost as if a parallel world of sound is created, making the one it refers to as estranged as well. The sound of THU20 is a multi-layered whole, compiled of many smaller and bigger happenings, going through the complete range of audible sound and using it in many different ways. From highly digital to dusty acoustics, from very calm to disturbingly hectic. One moment all happens together, a spare moment later there is not much more left than a basic building block. It is exactly this tension and variation which keeps you tuned and fascinated. The way basic elements like repetition, tonal differences and time-elapse are used is truly original and surprising."

"Wrikken is a collaboration between Dutchmen Joris van Perlo and Ivo Bol. The combination of electronics and their former acoustic instruments, or rather the electronic re-interpretation of those, is like a red-line through their work. Although not recognisable as such, the sound of Wrikken is based on sampling and distilling their acoustic recordings, which are manipulated over and over. You could say they use/sample the real-time accessibility and behaviour of these instruments, rather than the sound of them. The result is a divers mix in sound and atmosphere. Limited edition of 200 copies."

"'Schulterblatt' continues in this approach but sounds in no such way as their previous works. It displays an atmosphere in which an almost contradictive use of digital clippings and warm, flowing record-samples, become one and interact. It allows even a reversed night-club singer to go hand in hand with today's plug-in army, speaking a language which is not demonic at all, on the contrary. Limited edition of 300 copies."